Disney is expanding access to its beloved musical storytelling with a new initiative that reimagines songs from “Encanto,” “Frozen 2,” and “Moana 2” in American Sign Language (ASL). The project, titled “Songs in Sign Language,” will debut on Disney+ on April 27, coinciding with National Deaf History Month. This effort represents a significant step toward inclusivity, bringing the emotional depth of Disney’s music to a wider audience and celebrating the richness of Deaf culture. The initiative aims to produce Disney’s music accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers in a new and meaningful way, going beyond simple captioning to offer a fully visual and expressive experience.
The announcement comes as Disney continues to explore ways to broaden representation within its content. “Songs in Sign Language” isn’t simply a translation of lyrics; it’s a complete reimagining of three popular musical numbers, with entirely new animation created to reflect the nuances of ASL. This commitment to authentic representation is a key element of the project, ensuring that the ASL versions are not afterthoughts but integral parts of the storytelling. The project underscores the growing recognition of ASL as a vibrant and expressive language deserving of wider visibility, and the power of animation to bridge communication gaps.
A Collaborative Effort: Disney Animation and Deaf West Theatre
The project is a collaboration between Disney Animation and Deaf West Theatre, a Los Angeles-based company renowned for its innovative and critically acclaimed productions featuring ASL. Deaf West Theatre has a long history of breaking barriers in the performing arts, and their involvement lends crucial expertise and authenticity to “Songs in Sign Language.” The creative team included DJ Kurs, artistic director of Deaf West Theatre, and Catalene Sacchetti, who served as the sign language reference choreographer. Together with a team of eight Deaf performers from Deaf West, they crafted and choreographed the ASL versions of the songs.
According to Disney Animation, the team focused on conveying the concepts and emotions of the songs rather than attempting a literal, word-for-word translation. This approach allows for a more artistic and expressive interpretation of the music in ASL, capturing the spirit of the original songs even as honoring the unique qualities of the language. Kurs emphasized the historical significance of the collaboration, stating, “Disney stories are the universal language of childhood. The chance to bring our language into that world was a historic opportunity to reach a global audience.”
Bringing ASL to Life Through Animation
Veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond directed the animated sequences for “Songs in Sign Language.” Osmond, who led a team of over 20 animators, explained that in most cases, entirely new animation was created to accommodate the ASL performances. “There were a lot of adjustments that we had to do within the animation to be true to the original intention,” he said in a press statement. This involved carefully studying the movements and expressions of the Deaf West performers to ensure that the animation accurately reflected the beauty and fluidity of ASL.
Osmond’s personal connection to the Deaf community similarly played a significant role in his approach to the project. He revealed that his father is deaf, and growing up, a lack of shared language created a barrier to communication. “Growing up, I never learned sign language, and that barrier prevented me from really connecting with my dad,” Osmond shared. He views this project as a way to bridge that gap, not only in his own life but also for countless others. He added, “This reimagining of Disney Animation musical numbers helps bring down barriers and allows us to connect in a special way with our audiences in the Deaf community.”
Songs Reimagined: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “The Next Right Thing,” and “Beyond”
The three songs selected for this initial release represent a diverse range of emotions and storytelling styles. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto” is a high-energy, ensemble number that explores family secrets, and anxieties. “The Next Right Thing” from “Frozen 2” is a poignant ballad about resilience and finding strength in the face of adversity. And “Beyond” from “Moana 2” is an anthem of exploration and embracing the unknown.
The choice of these songs highlights Disney’s commitment to representing a variety of experiences and emotions within the Deaf community. By reimagining these popular tracks in ASL, Disney is not only making them accessible to a wider audience but also celebrating the beauty and expressiveness of the language. The project is expected to resonate deeply with Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, providing a sense of inclusion and representation that has often been lacking in mainstream media.
Disney Animation’s “Songs in Sign Language” will premiere on Disney+ on April 27. The studio has not yet announced plans for additional songs to be reimagined in ASL, but the success of this initial project could pave the way for further collaborations with Deaf West Theatre and other Deaf artists. Disney has indicated that they are committed to continuing to explore ways to make their content more inclusive and accessible to all audiences. The studio will provide updates on future initiatives through its official news channels.
This initiative marks a significant moment for representation in animation and a step toward a more inclusive entertainment landscape. Disney’s commitment to working with the Deaf community and showcasing ASL as a beautiful and expressive language is a welcome development that will undoubtedly resonate with audiences worldwide.
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